Dasen Brajkovic has treated many types of geriatric mental problems. Two of the most common are dementia and Alzheimer’s. Although the diseases are often confused with each other and are even linked, they also differ in several ways. Here are a few of them.

Diagnosis

When dementia is diagnosed, the person is being told they have a certain set of symptoms. Dementia is not necessarily a disease itself, but rather a name for a set of symptoms. Alzheimer’s is an actual disease that has many of the same symptoms of dementia and cannot be cured. A diagnosis is important as it can determine if treatment is necessary or will be helpful.

Treatment

Alzheimer’s is not curable and there is no way to reverse it. Dementia can be treated and depending on the cause of dementia, it may be able to be reversed. Certain drugs or vitamin deficiencies can cause dementia that can be treated and possibly reversed.

Awareness

Most people react to a dementia diagnosis the same way they react to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. People suffering from dementia may be aware that they are becoming ill or having problems while those with Alzheimer’s may not be aware that they have any problems.

If you are curious about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, the above points can show you how they are different. A doctor can diagnose you or a loved one and help you get help. Dasen Brajkovic has treated many people with both illnesses.

Dasen Brajkovic realized he was interested in the medical and psychiatry field at an early age. He studied many different types of medicine and department of psychiatry and found that he most enjoyed working with children and the elderly. He aimed his focuses on them but still dabbled in other types of medicine. He attended the School of Medicine at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. He graduated on March 26th, 1987 and earned his Medical Doctor Degree. His thesis covered seizures in infants.

After graduating college, he began participating in research studied and continues to learn through life experience. He started as a geriatric psychiatry fellow and attending psychiatrist at SUNY, Downstate Hospital and was able to learn the basics of schizophrenia research from Dr. Peter Weiden and participate in geriatric psychiatry research with Dr. Carl Cohen. He also Worked as a volunteer and research assistant at the private medical office of Dr. A. Z. Strika in Hackensack, New Jersey. He later attended an anesthesiology residency training program at NYU, New York City, NY and also completed ten months in internal medicine training at the St. Luke-Roosevelt Hospital, New York.

He has recently worked as a Director of Psychiatric Services for Staten Island University Hospital. He also supervises a staff of sixty which includes psychiatrists, medical and psychiatric physician assistants, medical and PA students, medical and psychiatry residents and physician assistants at the acute drug and alcohol detox and long-term rehabilitation programs. He provides lectures to psychiatry residents, nursing, and social work students and supervises psychiatry residents, medical and PA students, physician assistants at inpatient units, and acute and long-term drug/alcohol rehabilitation units.

When he isn’t working or participating in research studies, Dasen Brajkovic enjoys helping others by volunteering at homeless shelters in New York. He also enjoys reading, playing piano, scuba diving, and sailing. He is passionate about finding a way to help people suffering from mental disorder and other health problems and providing them with the psychiatric care they need, especially children and the elderly.

Dementia is a disease that mostly affects the elderly. It can cause memory problems, confusion, depression and other health issues. If you have a loved one who is suffering from dementia, these tips can help you help them. Dasen Brajkovic is a psychiatrist who has helped many dementia sufferers and their families over the years.

Be Understanding

It is important to understand that a person with Alzheimer’s will have habits and behaviors that are hard to understand. You have to be willing to try to understand the suffered and get on his or her level. Unless their behaviors are harmful, it may be best to let them continue.

There will be times with your loved one will not know where they are or even who they are. The best thing you can do is reassure them that they are safe and being cared for. You can try to remind them of the things they forget, but if they can’t recall these things, you must find another way to make them feel comfortable.

Be Loving

A person suffering from Alzheimer’s is likely feeling sad, scared and depressed. They may be having a hard time loving themselves and they need to know someone else loves them. Make sure you show your love for them as much as possible.

If you are watching your loved one struggle with dementia and are looking for a way to help, the above tips may be useful. Dasen Brajkovic helps dementia patients with psychiatry and also helps their family members deal with the devastating disease.

The more a person uses their brain, the better it is for both physical health and mental health. Dasen Brajkovic is a noted psychiatrist with over twenty-five years of experience. As an avid piano player, Brajkovic encourages his elderly patients to start new hobbies.

If battling depression or anxiety, adding a hobby gave give focus as long as there is no pressure to be perfect with the new endeavor. As a person starts to respond to treatment then the person can add reading a book or trying a puzzle. Simple activities will allow the person to reconnect with the world outside. From a neurological standpoint, when the brain is more active, memory and mood can both improve.

Physical activities that require memorization like playing piano, ballroom dancing or playing cards, give double benefits. Some increased physical activity, that is safe based on a person’s physical condition, as well as increased brain usage. Playing cards may seem lacking by younger individuals but for an older person or someone with mobility issues, dealing and holding cards may be all they can achieve. Moving and thinking are the goals.

Memory tricks like placing post it notes on a mirror with reminders are useful. Try image association when learning a new name. For example, if a person’s name is Jay, associate the face with a bird. A person also needs to be patient with his or her self in order to try a new activity or memory aid. Positive self-talk is important to keep a person’s self-esteem higher rather than lower. Dasen Brajkovic has seen the value of trying new brain-stimulating hobbies. It helps patients focus on a concrete activity which can get them out of a negative head space. This is one of many tactics to promote mental health.

Dasen Brajkovic was always interested in psychiatry and other types of medical treatments. He attended medical school and did very well. If you want to do just as well, these tips can help you prepare and increase your chances of getting good grades.

Avoid Cramming

Many medical students think it is a good idea to cram before a test, but this is not a good study habit. You should study at a good pace and try to remember a lot of information in a short amount of time can cause you to become confused. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you need to cram.

When you attend medical school, you will have a lot going on at one time. Don’t let yourself get distracted and be sure focus on one thing at a time so you do not become overwhelmed or feel like shutting down.

Don’t Party

Believe it or not, many people are still partying in medical school, but you should avoid it at all costs. Not only will it cause you to become distracted and make it more likely for your grades to drop, it could get you in trouble. A criminal record could prevent you from working in the medical field.

If you are going to attend medical school like Dasen Brajkovic, you need to do your best and make the most of it. Medical school can be challenging, but the above tips can help you do your best.

Dasen Brajkovic is a psychiatrist based in New Jersey who has extensive experience working with many different types of patients throughout his career. He is very passionate about psychiatry and helping others overcome their mental, emotional, and neurological disorders. He is the director of psychiatric services at Staten Island University Hospital, which “includes many different roles and supervisory functions, coordination of all psychiatric services.” Many people underestimate the importance of mental healthcare. We often are so concerned with taking care of ourselves physically that we neglect to notice other issues that we may be dealing with. Here are a few of the reasons why mental healthcare is so important.

Mental health actually affects our physical health. If we neglect to take care of ourselves mentally, we will experience more stress, which leads to increased problems with our bodies and a higher likelihood of contracting disease.

People who are in a better state of mental health are more likely to have happy, supportive, and healthy relationships with those around them, particularly their family. Children who are raised by parents with mental health issues may also be at risk for developing one themselves, so it is important to treat these problems as they occur.

People who are healthy mentally tend to have more stable, fulfilling careers with less financial strain or struggle. This is because it is much easier to be productive when your mind isn’t weighed down by a mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, just to name a few common ones often seen by Dr. Dasen Brajkovic MD.

Dasen Brajkovic emigrated from Croatia to the United States of America in the late 1980s. He is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in geriatric psychiatry. In 2012, Dasen Brajkovic was promoted to the Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at the Staten Island University Hospital. The hospital is part of the Northshore LIJ Health System and is dedicated to teaching future doctors and medical students.

The residency program in psychiatry accepts four candidates per program year for a total of sixteen residents. The four-year program provides comprehensive, hands on learning for medical school graduates specializing in psychiatry. The program includes experience with outpatient child and adolescent care, outpatient mental health, full time integrated care, neurology, inpatient psychiatry, geriatric, consultation-liaison psychiatry, addiction and recovery services, and emergency care. In the fourth year, the resident selects an elective to further refine his or her future practice.

Staten Island University Hospital is one of the main providers of mental and behavior health to the Staten Island community. Annually, the psychiatry department has over fourteen hundred inpatient discharges as well as overall outpatient visits in excess of twenty-three thousand. It has eighty-two inpatient beds and fourteen outpatient programs including opioid treatment programs. A residency with this hospital will provide the experience and foundation necessary to start a meaningful practice.

Dr. Dasen Brajkovic enjoys teaching and working with residents at the hospital. Continuous learning is essential to the medical profession. Teaching helps keep knowledge and skills current. Psychiatry is a rewarding specialty that helps many patients make positive changes.